Prevalence of dry eye

The dry eye is a symptomatic condition that can develop under many circumstances. As such, it represents a common worldwide problem, affecting millions of people, some of whom are blinded by the sequelae. So, we planned to study the prevalence of this condition among patients [above 40 years of age] and its relation to trachomatous cicatrization. This study was carried out on 160 eyes of 80 patients [53 females and 27 males]. The majority of patients had an age range of 40-60 years. All the patients were asked about symptoms of dry eye. Complete ophthalmological examination was performed including Schirmer test number 1, breakup time and Rose Bengal stain. Correlation between symptoms of dry eye, degree of trachomatous cicatrization and different dry eye tests was performed. It was found that dry eye is a relatively common ophthalmological disorder among patients over 40 years of age. Foreign body sensation was the most common presenting symptom. Trachomatous cicatrization was the common suggestive sign associated with dry eye complaint. Schirmer test was found to be unreliable test in detecting dry eye patients except values of 5 mm or less in 5 minutes. Rose Bengal stain was found to be the most reliable method for diagnosing the dry eye state. It was found that breakup time is a reliable, easy and rapid test for the evaluation of the tear film stability

Effect of circular lamellar keratectomy on the refraction and corneal curvature in rabbits' eyes

In this new procedure for correction if hypermetropia 20 rabbits were subjected to circular lamellar keratectomy in one eye leaving the other eye as a control. Significant correction of Hypermetropia by a mean of 4.19 +/- 0.62 D occurred in the operated eyes. Significant increase of corneal curvature by + 3.12 +/- also occurred